Deer Shoulder Penetration

[Camp Creek]

So what are your thoughts on intentionally shooting through a deer's shoulder to reach the vitals?  Obviously, a broadside or quartering away shot is preferred, but if a "through the shoulder" shot is your only option, would you take it?
My setup is a 60lb @31" handmade longbow with fir arrows and 190gr VPA three blade broadheads. I'm hoping to keep my shots within 20 yards and am assuming I should have enough energy to penetrate enough through a scapula but would love to hear from those with more experience.

Thanks

[Roger Norris]

I have punched through shoulders by accident and it worked out. I don't do it on purpose.

[Burnsie]

I wouldn't advise it on purpose. Unlike Roger my experience with trad bows and shoulder hits has not been positive. I think it depends a lot on what part of the shoulder you are talking about. If you hit the flat scapula blade part, it will typically blow through that, but if you hit square on the main joint knuckle - good luck?  I shot a buck with a zwickey Eskimo and hit him right in the heavy knuckle part. The arrow barely penetrated and fell out after a few leaps of the deer as he dashed away.  When I recovered the arrow the tip on the Eskimo was curled right over.  I was shooting 45-50 lb recurves.

[Orion]

I have hit the shoulder by accident, and it didn't work. You may get through if you just nick the scapula, but you won't if you hit it anywhere near the center. It's a poor shot choice, regardless of the weight bow you're shooting.   

[Mint]

For me, even on broadside shots I avoid the shoulder bone. When i was shooting 55lbs and arrows weighing 580grs I never penetrated enough with a two blade when i hit the shoulder by accident. Now I use a big three blade or four blade broadhead or a simmons and aim a little farther back just to make sure i miss the shoulder. I've recovered every liver shot deer I've had, probably because of the size of the broadhead doing so much damage.

[Trenton G.]

I don't even do it intentionally with a rifle. I hate having to throw away a bunch of ruined bloodshot meat.

[Kirkll]

Why would you do that intentionally? makes no sense to me... i know it happens now and then, but i couldn't see a good reason to do it on purpose.   Kirk

[Ol’ Sloughfoot]

Here we go... kick the hornets nest. With 680 grain arrows and high FOC single bevels... this is a highly effective shot.

[EHK]

Hornets released....
Back in my compound shooting days I hit a couple in the shoulder unintentionally and it didn't work out.  That was with fixed blades and a heck of a lot more firepower/KE than a 60# stick bow.  I agree with Kirk 100%. Not a wise choice to take that shot intentionally.  Wait for a broadside shot and if it doesn't happen, let the animal walk and hope you cross paths again. 

[Ol’ Sloughfoot]

I've built my arrows according to Dr. Ashby's principles. He's proven this. If he can't convince you- I never will. I've seen how devastating they are. This is not even a marginal shot to me... this is a dead deer. If a mature buck appears quartering to... you can hope he turns broadside.. I'm killing him.

[Camp Creek]

I've made that shot successfully with a compound at short range, lodging in the humerus on the far side.
I'll pass on that shot now but will try and see what kind of penetration I get on a deboned scapula with my setup if I get the opportunity.

Thanks

[Stumpkiller]

Agree with the "not on purpose" answers.  (Image from Fity.club)

[Ol’ Sloughfoot]

Here comes the swarm. "Not intentionally" realizes that none of us are perfect and things happen. So is it more ethical to unintentionally wound a deer with an arrow you know can't penetrate bone or intentionally blow through a shoulder with an arrow that carries over 20 years of study on breaching heavy bone? It would be nice if every deer I shoot from this day forward would stand perfectly still... slightly quartering away at 12 yards. If they would only get in proper dying position... I wouldn't have to shoot these bunker busters.